Date

 

Took this extra special 4.75 year old on a little Michigan date.

After walking for a mile to get to his favorite big orange slide, and then playing at said playground, we stopped for a little ice cream treat before heading home for dinner.

He chose Blue Moon.

I chose chocolate (of course).

cut-your-own: fresh flowers

two things, semi-related:

Running a flower farm with Libby is one of my potential plan B career opportunities :).

And placing lovely fresh flowers on the bathroom sink is a sure way to create an ambiance of luxury. 

Royal

The apartment felt almost like a palace with this incredible bouquet of peonies showing off their stunning beauty and filling the room with their sweet scent.

In my dreams I might have a peony garden overflowing with blooms like these. 

But in real life, it is my neighbor friend's neighbor who has the most impressive peony patch in the neighborhood.

Oolala.

more chocolate chip tasting

I had some important chocolate tasting to complete last weekend: 

Inspired by a recent conversation with a friend, I made a visit Aldi for a little grocery shopping. While there, I passed through the baking aisle and added three bags of chocolate chips to my cart. 

Naomi wasn't here to participate in this tasting, so I had to conduct it solo (and opted out of blind tasting).

I've decided Weis store brand semi sweet chocolate chips are superior to Giant store brand semi sweet chocolate chips (although- I haven't yet tasted them side by side),

and

Aldi dark chocolate chips (larger and flatter than traditional semi-sweet chips) and premium dark chocolate chunks (which pack a major chocolate punch) both scored in the "would buy again" category.

Sadly, Aldi semi sweet chips scored very poorly. 

I tried, and then tried again, but found the morsels to have an almost gritty texture. Affordably priced or not, I don't plan to purchase semi sweet chocolate chips from Aldi.

PS- I have an extra (almost full) bag of Aldi semi sweet chocolate chips available... free to the highest bidder.

familiar

There's something comforting about familiar places along the trail.

They say you should...

...eat the rainbow.

delightful

 

I don't typically think of daffodils as a favorite flower, but I forget just how very much I love their cheery presence popping out and shouting: winter is past.

Daffodils are delightful.

recommendable

This picture won't win any competitions, but these muffins might.

If you're looking for a lightly spiced oatmeal muffin, sweetened with maple syrup and topped with a simple and delicious crumb, I recommend this recipe by Erin at Well Plated.

(note: I used canola oil and decreased the spices in the batter, since I was going for just a hint of spice)

February Hike // White Rocks to Center Point Knob

On Saturday I hiked White Rocks out to Center Point Knob, the former halfway point of the Appalachian Trail. 

Although I've been up the White Rocks trail numerous times (a brief and rigorous hike), I didn't ever remember walking the ridge all the way to the Knob.

It was gloriously peaceful at Center Point Knob. Although the wind was nippy along the ridge, it was calm on the Knob. A soft carpet of pine needles contrasted the nearby rocky terrain. 

And the sun was shining deliciously warm rays.

Lake Shenandoah

On a recent work trip in Virginia, I looked up a nearby hiking trail that looped around the mini Lake Shenandoah. Vicky, Kris, and I squeezed in a quick visit between two sessions of our full schedule of meetings. 

There's nothing like a dose of fresh air, especially after hours of sitting and wrestling with topics like world peace.

photo by Vicky

A Merry Little Christmas Time

December was a pretty lovely, merry little Christmas time :)

special treats

string wrapped packages

white

all the pretty things

plus lots of lovely times with so many special people

celebration

It wasn't the first snowstorm of the year, but Sharon's bridal shower last month seemed like an occasion more than worthy of fresh cinnamon rolls.